Whether you’re celebrating Labor Day or Rosh Hashanah, we know it can be difficult to navigate healthy eating. So we’ve got some tips for you!

• Try to limit your indulgence to the one day and an entire week/end feast!
• Give yourself permission to enjoy the indulgence guilt-free, and then get back on track with your normal eating routine the very next day.
• Listen to your body; many people eat particular foods because “that’s what we do during the holidays.” Eating without thinking about what you’re putting into your body makes you ignore your internal cues of hunger and satiety. Just because it is there, doesn’t mean you have to eat it.
• Start with a broth-based soup or salad, then move on to lean protein & vegetables, and by the time you reach those triple-fudge brownies, a few bites will be all you need to feel satisfied.
• Prevent some of that “last-chance eating” by knowing that you can make a favorite dish at another time during the year. Knowing it will be available again means you won’t feel the urge to “go for broke” and overeat it now.
• Be aware of the “healthy” choices that can end up being much higher in calorie than you anticipated: you can easily overdo it with the veggies and high calorie dips and cheeses. Make sure you’re not eating something based solely on its health-food aura and keep an eye on your portion sizes.
• There’s really no such thing as “catching up” on sleep, so the key is consistency. Sleep deprivation has been shown to wreak havoc on your hormones and impacts your eating!
• Fasting before a big meal will backfire on you. Instead of saving up for the big meal, still eat every 3-4 hours throughout the day, nibble on healthy snacks like raw veggies, nuts, and fruit throughout the day to avoid overeating or binging.
• Stick to the three-bite rule for desserts: The first bite is the best, the last the grand finale, and every bite in between is the same. In three bites, you get the full dessert experience, so really focus on savoring those three and you’re less likely to overindulge.
• Mindless eating happens often, even more so during the holidays, to the point that you may not even realize what you’re eating. Taking the time to choose food you really want to eat and actively focusing on enjoying the smell, taste, and texture of each bite will naturally help you slow down and stop when you’re full.
• “No thank you” is a powerful combination of words. Use them!

After the Holiday remember to BE ACCOUNTABLE. Keep track of your food and exercise. Nothing better than an Accountability Coach.

We are here to help. Email us for details!